Shakespeare’s Women (Press, 30 July 1974)

In July 1974, Mervyn Thompson announced a unique casting decision for his upcoming production of Shakespeare's "The Taming of the Shrew," scheduled for September. In a significant departure from traditional practices, only two male roles will be played by men, while the remaining cast will be composed exclusively of women. Mr Thompson explained that this approach stemmed from the need to accommodate the large number of women who auditioned—23 women vied for the two principal female roles of Kate, known as the shrew, and her sister Bianca. Stewart Ross has been cast as Petruchio, and Nicholas Blake will play Grumio, while Cathy Downes takes on the role of Kate, Alannah O’Sullivan will portray Lucentio, and Eva Joel is cast as Bianca. Auditions for other roles have been reopened, with a particular aim to attract more mature women who may have missed earlier auditions due to a perceived lack of available parts. Thompson expressed a desire for actresses who can also sing or play musical instruments. Thompson noted that while he could have assembled a male cast, he felt compelled to champion female talent, especially as he has witnessed many capable actresses being overlooked over the years. He remarked on the lack of strong male characters in the play, highlighting the greater relevance of the performers’ abilities over their gender. Thompson expressed his aim to provide a liberating experience for actresses by creating significant roles for them. Despite the predominantly female cast, he reassured that the production would not adopt an exaggerated comedic style or rely on transvestite humour. Instead, he intends to present the play in a relaxed manner while avoiding overly serious interpretations. Thompson's vision is to focus on the essence of the characters and their relationships, particularly the dynamic between Kate and Petruchio. To enhance the intimacy of the production, Thompson plans to utilise the James Hay Theatre differently, prioritising the performance over visual extravagance. The aim is to demonstrate that a quality theatre experience can be achieved on a modest budget, and as such, ticket prices will be lower than usual for performances at this venue. Overall, Thompson's innovative approach seeks to breathe new life into Shakespeare's work while providing greater opportunities for female actors in the performing arts.

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